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Pina Capuano: Profile + Interview

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Pina Capuano: Interview

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The first words that comes to your mind when you hear Inspiration, Passion, and Strength

Persistence and perseverance.

Who are you? (Answer how you interpret this question)

I am not defined as one single thing, like everyone, my interests are broad and my skills vary. When asked who I am I think it comes down to values and personality, I am inherently creative and often way too ambitious. I am someone who always strives for the best and I try too often to take on more than I can handle. I am someone trying to achieve balance and make a difference while doing everything I love.

Why do you do what you do?

Music has always been a personal outlet. Most of my friends growing up were involved in the music community so I became involved in it at an early age. It was a way for me to channel my day dreams and aspirations and was a way for me to express what I often didn’t know how to discuss in plain conversation. As selfish as it comes across, I still play and write music for myself. Many of my friends in the Ottawa music communities have branched away from the acoustic genre but it’s where I have the most freedom to play and sing what I want, how I want. As much as the music I write isn’t for anyone else but myself - I continue to release songs and play shows in hopes that I can reach and leave an impact on someone the way my idols and the artists I learned from and listened to inspired me.

When did you know this is what you wanted to do, and what events led you to choose it?

I always wanted to be a vocalist. This dream started off with the hopes of being in a pop band (Spice Girls were the rage at this point in time) but then I learned how to play instruments and began to fuse the lyrics and medleys I had written to music. As I grew up, music became more of an outlet and I performed more and more thanks to the support of my friends and family but there was never an ‘ah-ha’ moment where I felt that playing music was my destiny.

The ‘ah-ha’ moment instead happens every time I go to a concert and see people gathered in joy and emotion that is often uncontrollable because they are before an artist whose music has impacted them enough to pull them from their daily lives and bring them into this crowd of people all looking to experience the rush of emotion that only comes from the live rendition of your favourite song or album. These events are always ones where I know that I always want to be on the other side, the one people don’t get to see, the behind the scenes side that puts such an event together and brings this type of artistry and music into the world.

Toughest thing you had to overcome to do what you do? And what/who helped you?

The toughest thing I had to overcome in my music career has been criticism and expectations. Until I left high school I was a big fish in a small pond in terms of musicians who performed regularly. Upon graduating I met more songwriters in Ottawa and frequented different venues in the city and the hardest part was always moving beyond the criticism and expectations that I set for myself based on how people were or were not responding to the music I created.

It really is true that we are our own worst critics, I was lucky to align myself with very talented musicians who today are some of my closest friends. Frequenting open mics and coffee houses with them allowed me to establish a musical style and I learned so much about playing what I wanted to play and making music for myself and not for those who clearly didn’t have an interest in my shows or what I was doing at the time.

Has anyone/anything ever inspired you to become who you are (to follow your dreams)? Have you ever inspired anyone directly?

I had never really wanted to play music live or share my songs until Sometimes by City and Colour dropped. That album, along with many of the post-hardcore and metal core bands I loved during that time, pushed me to perform for a crowd.

I hope that I have inspired at least one person through the years.

One mistake that you made in your journey? How have you learnt from them?

The one mistake I’ve made was putting down my guitar for a few years because it wasn’t “cool” - this mistake is tied directly to my second mistake which I still make from time to time of letting others get in my head and losing sight of why I play and write music.

I am still learning from these mistakes however and the best advice I can give to myself or anyone facing this situation is to always remember why I am doing what I do and to not lose sight of my personal goals because it really doesn’t matter what one person says unless their criticism is constructive.

Upcoming projects? Plans/goal? (about anything, if you have any)

I would love to release a second album but until then my immediate plans are to continue performing and writing as much as I can.

What advice would you give to other people? (Just about life in general - It could be about anything)

Don’t settle for something that makes you unhappy and stop making excuses. Even if you’re running blind it’s better than standing still.

Say anything you want, about anything (Last words)

Thank you Babes and Gents for supporting local artists and for chatting with me about my music. You can find my songs and adventures at the links below.

Public Relations Student and Stylist by day, musician and event planner by night

How long have you been doing it?

I’ve been studying PR for the past three years and have worked in the clothing retail sector for close to 5 years. I have always been the one in my group of friends to plan everything out but I began planning local shows and fundraisers about 7 or 8 years ago.

I have been playing music for the better part of the last decade but have been a solo act for about four years.

Fav Song

It’s always been difficult to narrow down my favourite song but one that has always stuck with me is Going to California by Led Zeppelin

Fav Musician/Vocal artist/Rapper/Singer

Dallas Green (City and Colour)

Fav Movie

I can’t narrow it down to anything other than a top 10 or so.

Fav Actor/Actress

Drew Barrymore and Meryl Streep (they can do no wrong) in the actor category Leo DiCaprio and Seth Rogen take the cake.

Fav Clothing brand

Vero Moda, Valentino

Fav Visual artist/Photographer/Filmaker/Dancer/Choreographer

I really don’t have just one - visual arts are so vast and beautiful in their various mediums that I tend to appreciate different projects and pieces as I see them, rather than having allegiance to a single artist.

Fav Sport to watch

I don’t go out of my way to watch sports, when a game comes on I usually leave the room and find something else to do